For the Home

The key to setting up a college student's room to feel just as comfortable and inviting as their home bedroom is to start with cozy bedding, such as a great set of sheets and pillows. Next, consider multi-functional products that don't take up valuable real estate, like an alarm clock that doubles as a sound machine or a tiered rolling utility cart. They can keep their space or themselves looking tidy with a cordless hand-held vacuum or an iron steamer.

Marycele Candle Warmer Lamp

Credit: Amazon

If your giftee is a candle connoisseur, a candle warmer is a useful and dorm-friendly gift that allows them to safely enjoy their favorite scents without breaking any rules. With a modern wooden base and a gorgeous glass shade, the warmer also doubles as decor. They can set a timer for up to eight hours and adjust the bulb’s brightness, but the brighter the light, the quicker the candle will melt. Gift this with a jar candle for a perfect pairing.

Hatch Restore 3 Sunrise Alarm Clock

Credit: Hatch

Perfect for the student who either has trouble sleeping or wants better quality sleep (i.e., most of them), the Hatch Restore is a multifunctional lifesaver. It’s a sunrise alarm, a regimented sleep routine, a sound machine, and a way to wind down for the night. Plus, it’s easy to program according to individual needs. 

Wake up slowly and as naturally as possible with nature sounds and a slowly brightening light to mimic a natural sunrise, even if it’s well past that time of day. Or program it to slowly turn off after you get in bed to start to read or scroll your phone—eventually, it’ll prompt you that it’s lights out by becoming a sound machine and going dark.

Quince Organic Bamboo Viscose Sheet Set

Credit: Quince

One of the best ways to upgrade a college student’s small dorm room is with a comfortable set of sheets. The Quince Organic Bamboo Sheet Set is one of our favorite sets we’ve tested for its soft texture, durability, and breathability. The set is also offered in several colors and sizes, so you can choose which suits the student you’re shopping for.

Brooklinen Super-Plush Towel Move-In Bundle

Credit: Brooklinen

One can never have too many towels, especially a busy college student who may skip laundry day more often than not. This Brooklinen bundle includes four bath towels, four hand towels, four washcloths, and a bath mat, all in plush Turkish cotton. The towels are super absorbent, durable, and soft. The set is on the pricier side, but it’ll last way beyond their college years.

Amazon Basics 3-Tier Rolling Utility

Credit: Amazon

As a general rule, dorm furniture should have a small footprint, come at a relatively affordable price, and be multi-functional. This rolling cart fits the bill. It’s only about 13 inches wide and stands 31 inches tall, with three metal shelves on which to store anything and everything.

It can be used for books, pantry food, skincare, shoes, study supplies, you name it. It comes in four colors, and the wheels make it easy to place it exactly where you need it.

yescool Weighted Blanket

Credit: Amazon

A stress-relieving weighted blanket is the perfect gift for an anxious college student who regularly gets Sunday scaries. Weighted blankets should be about 10 percent of the user’s body weight, and this blanket is available in a variety of sizes and weights ranging from 3 to 30 pounds. We recommend the standard 20-pound blanket, which is an ideal weight to help most adults relax without being too heavy.

Casper Backrest Pillow

Credit: Casper

Your college student’s bed (especially in a dorm) tends to serve as both a study spot and a place to relax, so consider this comfortable backrest pillow from Casper as an ergonomic accessory for both. The supportive inner foam allows for lumbar support, which forces better posture (and therefore, less back pain) while pulling an all-nighter.

However, it’s still soft and cozy enough to use for a quick nap on a couch or as a backrest to unwind and watch Netflix. The inner chamber is filled with a mix of polyurethane foam and polyester fiber fill, and the outer cover is removable and machine-washable.

Teeo Laundry Bag

Credit: Amazon

This bright yellow laundry bag will be hard to avoid when it gets full, and it can hold a whopping two full loads of laundry. It features a heavy-duty handle to wear it like a backpack for easier transport, a sturdy drawstring to securely shut, and a pocket in the front to fit essentials like detergent or dryer sheets.

The handy bag can easily be taken to a laundromat on or off campus, or brought along on an impromptu weekend trip back home. It’s made of cotton canvas, and yes, in case you’re wondering, it is indeed machine-washable.

Shark Wandvac Cordless Handheld Vacuum

Credit: Amazon

You can’t expect floors so clean you can eat off them in a college dorm or off-campus housing, but you should be able to at least feel comfortable walking around in socks. Get them a convenient vacuum cleaner that has good suction power. 

This Shark Wandvac is amazing for spot cleans in a larger dorm with a common room area or as the sole vacuum in a smaller dorm. It’s lightweight and has a small, compact charging dock so you can simply keep it out, ready to go and fully charged whenever cereal is spilled, or the rug starts to look dirty. It comes with a pet hair cleaning tool and a crevice attachment, both of which also easily store on the charging dock.

Nori Press Iron Steamer

Credit: Amazon

Although this looks a little like a high-tech hair straightener, it’s actually a steamer and iron in one. It doesn’t need an ironing board to work, and it finishes the job in about half the time as a traditional iron. You can use the Nori Press with or without steam, depending on what kind of fabric you want to smooth out.

It has six fabric-specific settings, an LED light to indicate whether it has reached a certain temperature or run out of water, and two aluminum plates to ensure both the front and the back of clothes are perfectly wrinkle-free. It’s also a small, lightweight solution at only 1.5 pounds and 14 inches in length. It even comes in a few different colors.

For the Kitchen

Whether they are living in on-campus or off-campus housing, your college student has to eat. Microwave kitchenware makes it quick and easy to cook for themselves, while a mini fridge allows them to keep backup beverages and snacks ready for late-night study sessions. A set of fun glasses or a leakproof water bottle will also keep them hydrated.

Owala FreeSip Water Bottle

Credit: Amazon

Even with all of the options available on the market, this Owala FreeSip bottle is definitely one of the best water bottles out there. First, it’s made out of stainless steel for insulation that will keep drinks cold for 24 hours. The 24-ounce size is cup-holder friendly, and it has a little handle on the top of the lid to make carrying much easier.

But the unique spout is the most interesting detail because it allows the user two ways to drink their beverage. A smaller hole lets you free-sip through a straw without tilting the bottle, and a larger hole makes it easy to chug. The bottle can be taken apart for cleaning and is dishwasher-safe. Plus, it comes in some really fun colors, too.

Anyday The College Dorm Set

Credit: Anyday

Cooking is not usually a top priority for college students, but stepping up their meal game is made so easy with the Anyday College Dorm Set. Anyday containers are designed for cooking right in the microwave, so they're the perfect dorm room workaround. The set contains four dishes—a medium deep dish, a medium shallow dish, and two shallow dishes.

Each is made of glass, with a glass, silicone, and stainless steel lid (no plastic here) and a knob that releases excess steam. If they're not confident in the kitchen, the website offers a robust recipe section to help them execute perfect microwave meals.

Cooluli Infinity 15-Liter Mini Fridge

Credit: Pottery Barn Teen

This portable fridge is small enough to fit on a desk, and is a great gift for college students who may want to have a little extra room (or keep their expensive energy drinks away from roommates). It fits up to 18 soda cans and has two removable shelves, bringing temperatures down to a cool 35 degrees Fahrenheit.

Plus, if you’re gifting this to a skincare enthusiast, it’s a great place to store face masks, serums, and eye creams for an extra boost of cooling self-care. It also works as a heater, keeping food warm up to 145 degrees Fahrenheit, which can be great for storing leftovers.

OXO Compact Cold Brew Coffee Maker

Credit: Amazon

This compact cold brew coffee maker from OXO can be used on the countertop or in the fridge to make around a week’s worth of cold brew (well, maybe less for a college kid) in only 12 hours. Simply add ground beans and water to the brewer and let it sit for up to a day.

When that’s done, let it drain on top of the included borosilicate glass carafe. The mesh stainless steel will prevent grounds from getting into the cup while creating the coffee concentrate. And that’s it: cold brew right in a dorm room. When not in use, the carafe and the brewer nest into each other to take up less space.

CraveBox Care Package

Credit: Amazon

This snack box care package is the perfect gift for busy (and hungry) college students. The box is filled with a variety of chips, cookies, crackers, and other snacks like Oreos, Cheez-Its, and Rice Krispies Treats. Each goodie is individually wrapped, so they can grab their favorites and go.

Uncommon Goods College Cityscape Can-Shaped Glasses - Set of 2

Credit: Uncommon Goods

Get your favorite college student a set of glasses customized to represent their university. Uncommon Goods offers these sets of two adorable cityscape glasses with illustrations for dozens of colleges across the country. Each pint-sized glass highlights iconic landmarks on campus.

Zwippy Microwave Rice Cooker Steamer

Credit: Amazon

Cooking rice, quinoa, pasta, and noodles no longer requires a stove and a pot of boiling water, so long as you have the Zwippy. This BPA-free device comes with the cooker, a paddle, a measuring cup, and a rice washer and strainer. It even works with some other foods, like oatmeal or vegetables, for steaming.

They’ll love how easy it is to use, making fluffy rice and perfectly cooked pasta, and giving college students a real chance at making some home-cooked meals when they don’t want to hit the dining hall. It’s dishwasher-safe, although that likely won’t matter in a dorm room.

S'well Tritan Eats 2-in-1 Nesting Food Bowls

Credit: Amazon

Food prep in a dorm can be almost impossible, but this compact set of 12-ounce glass bowls with covers can really help. They’re microwave-safe—perfect for storing leftovers in the mini fridge without taking up too much room—and keep food cold for 12 hours and hot for seven. College students can also use them for overnight oats, chia pudding, yogurt parfaits, salads, and other dishes that only need a cutting board and a few ingredients to create. 

The leak-resistant pop-top lids also ensure that the food won’t spill in a bag or backpack while traveling to class. And that means you can fill them with food when they come to visit you, too.

Tech and Entertainment

The life of a college student revolves around tech, whether it is for studying, relaxing, or entertainment. We've got tech covered, from laptop desks and noise-cancelling headphones for comfortable study time to the latest mini iPad for streaming their favorite content. They can listen to music while they study or FaceTime with a sturdy phone stand for their desk, while they can take a compact Bluetooth speaker, a tech kit, or Apple AirTags on the go.

Lapgear Home Office Lap Desk

Credit: Amazon

This thoughtfully designed lap desk from LapGear is perfect for common room essay writing or studying on a couch. The dual bolster cushion is much more comfortable to place on your lap than an overheating laptop. It features a device ledge at the base to prevent the laptop from sliding down, a built-in mouse pad, and a small slot to prop a phone up.

It comes in finishes that make it look surprisingly high-end, from marble to espresso to oakwood.

Soundcore Anker Life Q20i Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling Headphones

Credit: Amazon

Every college student needs a reliable pair of headphones. This noise-canceling option is affordable and has an impressive 60-hour battery life to last through several full days of studying. Plus, we like that it comes in four different colors to match your college student’s aesthetic.

Buddha Board Water Painting

Credit: Amazon

For the student who needs a break from deadlines and doom scrolling, this water painting board is the ideal gift. They can relax and unwind after class by painting on the board with water, then watching their artwork slowly fade away. Inspired by Zen mindfulness, this art set encourages creativity and teaches you how to live in the moment. And since it just uses water, it doesn't require any tedious cleanup.

Bright Stone Phone Stand for Desk

Credit: Amazon

This sturdy phone stand works great for teens who like to multitask. You can place a phone, small tablet, or handheld gaming system on the silicone, anti-scratch shelf for a completely hands-free experience.

It’s great for students who want to listen to music while studying or video chat at their desks, and it adjusts to angles up to 45 degrees for the perfect view. The base is heavy and won’t tip, and the support rod is made of sturdy aluminum. It comes in a few different colors, and you can easily charge your phone while it's on the stand, too.

Apple iPad mini Wi-Fi 2021 6th Gen

Credit: Target

If you really want to treat somebody, Apple's iPad Mini is the ultimate gift. It’s a smaller tablet that can be used to stream movies, read books, or watch YouTube videos at the same time as texting on their phone and scanning the internet on a laptop. It can also be a useful tool for studying when bringing out a laptop isn’t feasible.

It connects to 5G wireless, is compatible with Bluetooth keyboards, and supports Apple Pencil.

Bellroy Tech Kit

Credit: Amazon

Made from recycled plastic water bottles, this tech kit organizes all of the cords, cables, and gadgets that students often need to carry from class to dorm to home on a frequent basis.

The interior is made to ensure that nothing gets tangled or caught; there’s a larger compartment for a bulky MacBook cord or a computer mouse, smaller elastic straps to securely hold AirPods or micro-USB cords, and internal pockets for USB drives. It also opens flat like a book to easily access items quickly and efficiently.

Sony SRS-XB100 Wireless Bluetooth Travel Speaker

Credit: Amazon

A waterproof speaker is a must-have for all sorts of reasons: it’s great for weekends spent outside on the lawn or at the beach, for listening to music while studying or hanging with friends, and for boosting the audio when watching a movie or TV show on a tablet.

This brightly colored option from Sony has a convenient carrying strap and boasts up to 16 hours of battery life. You can also make hands-free calls, too. Fans praise the speaker’s clear sound and the impressive bass that comes in its relatively small package.

Apple AirTag 4-Pack

Credit: Amazon

Help your college kid find all of her most coveted belongings with this four-pack of Apple AirTags. It’s a Bluetooth 5.0 tag that connects to a phone or tablet and helps you find and track anything important.

They’re great to put in laptop bags, suitcases, wallets, purses, and more, so if your college student is inclined to leave things at friends’ houses, in libraries, or underneath a pile of clothes, this will be a huge game-changer for them.

Clothing and Accessories

College students are always on the move, whether they are traversing the campus or going from the dorm to the showers. We've found functional clothing and accessories for all scenarios—comfortable flip-flops and slippers, rain jackets, and even a personal safety alarm. They can pack up a backpack or a weekender bag for quick getaways or visits home.

Crocs Unisex-Adult Men's and Women's Classic Flip Flops

Credit: Amazon

A Croc shower shoe is about as sturdy and durable as a flip flop can be, and these will likely be used well beyond the communal showers. They are made with flexible, lightweight foam that dries quickly and is cushioned and comfortable to wear. These do run a bit large, so plan accordingly and size down.

Secure treading on the bottom ensures they’re safe to get wet and would also be great for a quick walk to the corner store or a day at the beach. And if Croc charms are the gift recipient’s thing, these fit 12 of them.

Herschel Supply Co. Little America Backpack

Credit: Nordstrom

Great for class, as well as weekend trips home, a reliable backpack is a college essential. This one from Herschel has several quality features: a padded felt laptop sleeve inside, as well as a triple-lined interior that will offer durability from the elements.

The cushioned straps increase comfort, as does the mesh back, and there are zippered compartments on both the outside and the inside. It has a drawstring enclosure as well as magnet-backed straps with buckles to keep things secure, too.

It’s also friendlier for the environment; the backpack liner is made with recycled post-consumer water bottles. And, of course, it’s an on-trend style with patterned options like painted camo and solid colors like dusty rose and ivy green.

UGG Tasman Slippers

Credit: UGG

Shuffling from the dorm to the dining center is made more comfortable with a pair of nice slippers. These UGG slippers have a durable sole and are nice enough to wear to an early morning class. 

Cotopaxi Cielo Rain Jacket Women's

Credit: REI

A solid rain jacket is a staple item of clothing for a college kid who attends school in a rainy climate. This jacket will come in handy when she's walking long distances across the quad to get to an early morning class.

This rain jacket also happens to be a stylish option from buzzy outdoor brand Cotopaxi. It’s made from recycled polyester and finished with a moisture-repellent fabric that helps water bead down the surface rather than sinking into the lining. It also has an adjustable hood, three zippered pockets, and a breathable fabric.

Baggu Medium Nylon Crescent Bag

Credit: BAGGU

Made with heavyweight nylon, the Baggu Medium Nylon Crescent Bag is durable enough to withstand treks to and from campus. The bag is large enough for your student to fit all of their essentials, like a water bottle and snacks.

The material is waterproof and easy to clean, so it will last through all of their college adventures. For an even roomier bag, the Large Nylon Crescent Bag could replace their backpack since it is big enough to fit a laptop. 

Carhartt Nylon Duck Water-Repellent Canvas Id Holder

Credit: Amazon

If you’re giving a gift to a new college student, they may not be used to having their school ID with them at all times. This water-resistant, canvas lanyard from rugged outdoor brand Carhartt will be helpful, and it has a few additional spaces for extra cards or some petty cash, too.

There’s also a pen holder, a clear slot so they don’t have to remove their ID from the lanyard, and a reflective element to this sturdy, durable case.

Birdie Personal Safety Alarm

Credit: Amazon

Whether they’re traveling abroad, walking on campus alone, or leaving a late-night study session, this alarm is an easy way to ensure college students feel a bit safer. To use it, all the users have to do is pull the top pin of the alarm, and it’ll trigger a loud siren that calls attention to others in the area. It’s offered in several colors and even has a keychain attached, so it’s easy to keep handy on a backpack or other bag.

Away The Everywhere Bag

Credit: Away

The perfect piece of luggage is a great gift idea for college students who live far from home. We love Away's Everywhere Bag, which is the ideal size for an airplane personal item or to pack for a weekend trip. The water-resistant nylon fabric is available in a host of sleek, muted colors, with a leather strap and a trolley sleeve to help the user stack it on top of rolling luggage.

Among the numerous pockets is a 15" laptop sleeve and a water bottle pocket. During the semester, it can double as a school or gym bag.

Beauty and Personal Care

Whether their daily beauty and personal routine is minimal or multi-step, we've included product picks for both and everything in between. A spa towel wrap and a toiletry bag are necessities, and a foldable lighted mirror can be a lifesaver for getting ready in the morning when they have to share a communal bathroom. A great-smelling pillow spray or scent diffuser offers a soothing way to wind down after a stressful day of classes and studying.

Conair Reflections Rechargeable Tablet Mirror

Credit: Ulta

Without easy access to a private bathroom, whether they’re living in a dorm with a large communal restroom or an off-campus apartment with multiple roommates, having a handy, foldable lighted mirror will be so useful for t shaving or makeup application.

The rechargeable battery works up to four hours before needing more juice, and the sturdy cover also functions as a stand for the mirror that can be set both horizontally and vertically. Users can touch the mirror to adjust the lighting with three brightness settings, and it has a small 5x magnification mirror included that can be removed when needed. And it’ll take up practically no room in a dresser.

Kniffi Womens Wrap Towel Spa Wraps

Credit: Amazon

This snug, cozy terry cloth towel wrap is a great way for new college students to feel comfortable in communal showers. There’s a secure Velcro closure so they can walk down the halls without worrying about holding their towel along with their shower caddy.

It also comes with a head wrap to keep wet hair from dripping everywhere. It’s comfortable enough to want to lounge in a dorm room wearing it while getting ready, and it comes in three sizes and a few colors. It’s machine-washable and stretchy, too.

Stoney Clover Lane Customizable Makeup Bag

Credit: Stoney Clover Lane

Stoney Clover is known for their customizable gear, but we think this large pouch is one of the best picks to consider. The pouch can be used as a makeup bag or as an easy way for a student to store their sunglasses, wallet, and more in their backpack. You can choose from 14 standard colors and 21 limited edition prints, as well as a large selection of patches for a truly personalized look.

Starface Micro-Cloud Patches for Early Stage Spots

Credit: Amazon

Stress, junk food, and lack of sleep can all contribute to bouts of acne, and college students typically deal with all three. Luckily, these brilliant patches from skincare brand Starface are made to stop pimples from fully forming: when the user feels a big one coming, they place a cute cloud-shaped patch fitted with tiny micro darts over the blemish.

Elviros Toiletry Bag for Men

Credit: Amazon

This multi-functional bag works as a dopp kit, makeup bag, toiletry organizer for travel, and more. It has a PU leather material on the outside and water-resistant nylon lining on the inside, and it comes with a handy strap.

There are multiple pockets, including a large one in the center that should fit most standard- or travel-sized lotions and creams, plus side compartments with elastic bands and mesh pockets to hold razors, combs, toothbrushes, and makeup brushes. There’s some foam padding inside as well, so glass bottles won’t break if you take this traveling.

OSEA Vagus Nerve Pillow Spray

Credit: Nordstrom

Made with a blend of essential oils including chamomile, lime, and rosemary, this is meant to be sprayed on a pillow to help the user fall asleep. Named after the Vagus Nerve (the largest cranial nerve in the body that helps to regulate stress) its purpose is to provide a calming effect through aromatherapy.

Made in the US and manufactured without sulfates, parabens, and silicone, it’s a cruelty-free spray that might provide a much-needed relaxing ambiance at bedtime.

Vitruvi Glow Diffuser

Credit: Amazon

This cool mist essential oil diffuser provides a little dose of self-care during long study sessions. It delivers soothing essential oils into a 300 square foot area and has a glowing ambient light for more soothing comfort.

You can set it to run either four hours, eight hours, or continuously, but it automatically shuts off when it’s almost out of water. It’s made for small spaces, too, thanks to its small size. Along with a set of essential oils, it’s the perfect gift for college students to keep them calm during midterms and finals.

Your Questions, Answered

What do college freshmen need?

Incoming college freshmen will likely receive a detailed list of must-haves for both their dorm rooms and their upcoming courses before starting their school year. Dorm rooms also tend to have strict rules about what can and can not be used in them—things like hot pots, rice cookers, Instant Pots, air fryers, candles, candle warmers, and other plug-in appliances are typically risky gifts for college students who might not be allowed to use them while staying in student housing. 

What is provided depends on each university or college. In addition to beds, some include nightstands, dressers, and desks, while others might also come with mini fridges or microwaves. Unless you know what is being provided, the safest gifts to give are the must-haves and essentials that most college students staying on campus (or off!) will need, including basics like affordable sheets and towels, college-specific items like desk organizers and microwave cooking tools, and fun extras like throw pillows and cozy blankets to help them get acclimated to living on their own. 

For dorm residents, focus on gifts that are small-space friendly and easy to set up, such as a rolling utility cart, cordless hand-held vacuum, or laptop desk. For commuters, portability is key, so think of items like a backpack, tech kit, or water bottle. Whether your college student is living on campus or commuting, tech compatibility and charging are always a priority, along with durability.

Who We Are

Molly Blanco is a senior writer for Better Homes & Gardens and a former college student herself. To find the best gifts for college students, she asked BHG editorial assistant Claire Hoppe Norgaard about the gifts students actually want and need. She also used her own experience as a college student, researching the products she loved and used throughout college, or the items she wished she had in school.

Additional reporting was done by Alida Nugent, a writer for Better Homes & Gardens with years of expertise in kitchen, pets, beauty, bedding, and home. She specializes in testing products, editing, writing, and strategizing about the rapidly changing online shopping landscape.